Lineup, Bruce apologizes

*Jay Bruce should have been happier about snapping a 0-for-17 skid on Monday but instead found himself apologizng. Bruce was caught on camera making an obscene gesture to teammates after his second-inning double. Deadspin.com published a still photo of the moment that was seen during the game telecast.

“It’s not a laughing matter, obviously,” Bruce said. “It’s one of the more stupid things I had ever done. It was an honest mistake. I wasn’t mad at anyone. It was a kidding around thing but nonetheless, it was a mistake. It shouldn’t happen. I have to be more professional than that. I want to apologize to the fans, my team, ownership, everyone who supports me. I forgot where I was for a second.”

*In the ninth inning on Monday, a Dan Uggla one-out grounder was hit to first base where Joey Votto looked to second base but did not make a toss to Nick Masset at the bag. That loaded the bases and it seemed like Votto got crossed up. Dusty Baker thought so too, at first.

“It looked like Joey wanted to throw it but Masset’s eyes were looking down at the base,” Baker said. “There was a good chance if Joey had thrown that ball, he would have thrown it by him and the winning run is on third base. It looked like Joey hesitated and didn’t know what to do but when the guy isn’t looking at you, you can’t throw the ball. At first I thought Joey messed up. I looked at the replay and Joey made the right play.”

*There is a giant picture in the clubhouse of the new Marlins ballpark being constructed for opening in 2012. During games, Marlins players are shown on the videoboard standing in front of a new ballpark image. When the Marlins do move to the new place, at the site of the old Orange Bowl, they will become the Miami Marlins.

*Other than Hanigan, the only other lineup change is Jonny Gomes batting ahead of Bruce.

*For those interested in making the drive to Louisville, Aroldis Chapman will pitch again on Friday against Columbus at Louisville Slugger Field. Gates will open at 6 p.m. ET and first pitch is scheduled for 7:05.

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I’m a Joey Votto fan so I don’t want to rip him here and look like a jerk, but the only reason Dusty Baker makes a comment like that and blames it on Masset is because he knows Masset is mentally stronger than Votto. Masset can take the heat and not everyone is sure Votto can. In that situation you have to make a play, make your mind up immediately and get an out no matter what, that mistake was inexcusable. As for Bruce, I see nothing wrong with that, you can’t make it a habit and he did the right thing by addressing it immediately but he doesn’t need to apologize to everyone. Here we go Arroyo, let’s get hot and win a bunch in a row here. Go Reds.

I’m a Joey Votto fan so I don’t want to rip him here and look like a jerk, but the only reason Dusty Baker makes a comment like that and blames it on Masset is because he knows Masset is mentally stronger than Votto. Masset can take the heat and not everyone is sure Votto can. In that situation you have to make a play, make your mind up immediately and get an out no matter what, that mistake was inexcusable. As for Bruce, I see nothing wrong with that, you can’t make it a habit and he did the right thing by addressing it immediately but he doesn’t need to apologize to everyone. Here we go Arroyo, let’s get hot and win a bunch in a row here. Go Reds.

I think that’s Reds TUESDAY lineup vs Florida, but I love getting these in advance while I wait for the game. In past years I didn’t enjoy Dusty’s musical-chairs lineups, but I have come to appreciate them. As a microcosm of life, baseball is all about continual adjustments.

Curt– Massat was obviously in the wrong–he wasn’t even looking at him. You’re reading WAY too much into it. Votto did make the right play–the one that didn’t cost them the game.

I also don’t agree with you about Bruce. He made a mistake on television–and that does affect everyone. He probably just felt like they were in a scrimmage game since there were hardly any fans in the ballpark.

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